CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Sir Blue and Gold]

No news is good news for us on Vaval.

[Blue In BC]

Lions release DL, DeWayne Hendrick who had a $40K signing bonus due today. That explains them signing Sayles recently.

Hendrick is a good player but he'd be expensive even after being released. TBD but we can see quite a few players being released to these signing bonus contracts.

[Ridermania]

RedBlacks extend Geno Lewis.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/15/superstar-signing-ottawa-redblacks-extend-geno-lewis-through-2027/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

RedBlacks extend Geno Lewis.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/15/superstar-signing-ottawa-redblacks-extend-geno-lewis-through-2027/

Darn, Gino went from the highest paid receiver in Edmonton to a relative bargain in Ottawa at $220k, guess he's found his happy home.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Logan was due a $10,000 bonus due today and would earn $110K in 2026. It's true we don't know whether Vaval will return although the Bomber management might have a better idea of whether he's expecting an NFL contract.

Every TC there are receivers and DB's that compete for a role as a returner on top of being a starter or back up on offence.

There are already many signed that have that skill set but whether it translates to the CFL is a TBD.

Hopefully Vaval returns but I'm not yet too concerned about the back up role. Of course that could change to a more significant issue if we hear he's not coming back for TC.

Correct almost every receiver and DB is well equipped to return kicks, but very few pan out, it takes a huge element of fearlessness to do that job well. In Vaval they found someone with the right amount of crazy, even a player as fast as Lucky Whithead approached returns with mucho caution and was overly tentative. 

[Blue In BC]

Correct almost every receiver and DB is well equipped to return kicks, but very few pan out, it takes a huge element of fearlessness to do that job well. In Vaval they found someone with the right amount of crazy, even a player as fast as Lucky Whithead approached returns with mucho caution and was overly tentative. 

I'm not disagreeing but we wouldn't bring in 40 rookies for TC if we knew who would pan out at a given position. We may find a new returner immediately or not. It doesn't take away from the fact that Logan did not succeed given the chance.

So we're no worse off if we have to settle for a rookie back up on an ELC. Keeping in mind that player could also potentially be a back up receiver or DB that is better in that role and could end up as a DI.

IDK if Vaval was brought in primarily to be a DB back up on the PR or whether they thought he'd be best as a returner.

[Tecno]

IDK if Vaval was brought in primarily to be a DB back up on the PR or whether they thought he'd be best as a returner.

You mean brought in to WPG?  I'm pretty sure he was eyed as a DB who could also return.  Like a Fogg.  The fact he was the next Grant was a bonus that just proved their hunch.

[Tecno]

Hopefully Vaval returns but I'm not yet too concerned about the back up role.

Ya, "backup returner" is not a critical role like "backup NAT RB" or "backup C".  You can still play & win games with a nobody as returner.  Heck, we've had our share of that in the last decade.  All you really need is a dude who can stand back there and catch it without fumbling.  That's it.  Who cares if he gets 0Y every return.

There have been times we'd put AH or Demski back there.  Or whoever was our IMP backup RB.

We can easily go into TC without having a clear backup.  Then just pick the best of the rest for that role.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, "backup returner" is not a critical role like "backup NAT RB" or "backup C".  You can still play & win games with a nobody as returner.  Heck, we've had our share of that in the last decade.  All you really need is a dude who can stand back there and catch it without fumbling.  That's it.  Who cares if he gets 0Y every return.

There have been times we'd put AH or Demski back there.  Or whoever was our IMP backup RB.

We can easily go into TC without having a clear backup.  Then just pick the best of the rest for that role.

You must forget how painful it is to lose 20+ yds. field position on every punt exchange due to an inadequate returner vs. a supereior one.  Almost as bad as being brutally out punted.

Mario Alford is a FA, Riderfans are always discussing replacing him because of his age (34), if Vaval does not return this season, Alford could fill in as a returner that still provides ball security and above average returns on a one year contract.  At 34 won't be many teams interested so should come reasonabllly cheap if signed just prior to TC.

[Blue In BC]

You mean brought in to WPG?  I'm pretty sure he was eyed as a DB who could also return.  Like a Fogg.  The fact he was the next Grant was a bonus that just proved their hunch.

Well that's the point. Several players will be brought in with those skill sets. Until they hit the CFL field in TC, nobody can be certain how they'll do.

So you may be correct that he was first fighting to win a DB spot with the additional capability to return. Ironically if Logan as performed as expected then Vaval might have never seen the field as the primary returner. Hard to say if he would have made the roster as a DB back up.

Yes we'll need someone to win the back up role on the PR. TC roster usually has a dozen or so DB's and Rec's. Someone will make the PR that can serve that need.

[Tecno]

Vaval might have never seen the field as the primary returner. Hard to say if he would have made the roster as a DB back up.

I think it was in the GC Saturday show (or maybe (and/or) elsewhere?) Vaval did another interview and he was saying all of the right things.  I know we always say "seems like a MOS guy", but with Vaval it seems uber genuine.  He seems like a wants-to-learn-aholic.  Seems to want to be here.

I have little doubt that he, at bare minimum, would have made the PR all season as backup DB, if not the AR -- even if he didn't pan out as returner.  All in all I think he did very well as a raw rookie corner.  Not the instant natural DB like Nichols or Holm or D.Alford, but certainly as good as many others have done in their first handful of starts.

[Tecno]

You must forget how painful it is to lose 20+ yds. field position on every punt exchange due to an inadequate returner vs. a supereior one.  Almost as bad as being brutally out punted.

Mario Alford is a FA

We spent all of '24 "losing" 20Y field position on every exchange, and we still made the cup!  And we're talking disaster scenario anyhow, which doesn't always come to fruition.  You hope Vaval would remain healthy 90% of the games, and if he doesn't you can always look THEN for a couch sitter, aged-out vet, or trade.  Or just roll with the "just catch the darn ball" next man up.

Paying Logan his decent fee in '25 was a complete bust: why would we repeat that on purpose with Alford?  No one signs an Alford-level guy just to be the backup, unless this is truly his final year before retiring (like Logan or Lucky).

If Alford was ELC+$10k, ya ok, why not.  But not for $110k+...  Unless Vaval is stuck in the NFL all season and nothing shows up at TC.  I seriously doubt that happens.

Yes, Alford would be ok to get you the reliable short return on every kick.  Yes, that has some value.  And in that sense he's ideal if cheap and you have no other options.  But he's not busting anything anymore, and you'll find he's WAY less effective in WPG because we aren't the ST hold-fest that SSK is.